Kind and gentle as a woman, Irving Stanley was sometimes laughed at by
his own sex, as too gentle, too feminine in disposition; but those who
knew him best loved him most, and loved him, too, just because he was
not so stern, so harsh, so overbearing as lords of creation are wont to
be.
Such was Irving Stanley, and 'Lina might well be thankful that her lot
was cast so near him. He did not talk to her at the table further than a
few commonplace remarks, but when, after dinner was over, and his Havana
smoked, he found her sitting with her mother out in the grove, apart
from everybody, and knew instantly that they were there alone, he went
to them at once, and ere many minutes had elapsed discovered to his
surprise that they were his so-called cousins from Kentucky. Nothing
could exceed 'Lina's delight. He was there unfettered by mother or
sister or sweetheart, and of course would attach himself exclusively to
her. 'Lina was very happy, and more than once her loud laugh rang out so
loud that Irving, with all his charity, had a faint suspicion that
around his Kentucky cousin, brilliant though she was, there might linger
a species of coarseness, not altogether agreeable to one of his
refinement. Still he sat chatting with her until the knowing dowagers,
who year after year watch such things at Saratoga, whispered behind
their fans of a flirtation between the elegant Mr. Stanley and that
dark, haughty-looking girl from Kentucky.
"I never saw him so familiar with a stranger upon so short an
acquaintance," said fat Mrs. Buford.
"Is that Irving Stanley, whom Lottie Gardner talks so much about?" And
Mrs. Richards leveled her glass again, for Irving Stanley was not
unknown to her by reputation. "She must be somebody, John, or he would
not notice her," and she spoke in an aside, adding in a louder tone: "I
wonder who she is? There's their servant. I mean to question her," and
as Lulu came near, she said: "Girl, who do you belong to?"
"'Longs to them," answered Lulu, jerking her head toward 'Lina and Mrs.
Worthington.
"Where do you live?" was the next query, and Lulu replied: "Spring Bank, Kentucky. Missus live in big house, 'most as big as this;"
then anxious to have the ordeal passed, and fearful that she might not
acquit herself satisfactorily to 'Lina, who, without seeming to notice
her, had drawn near enough to hear, she added: "Miss 'Lina is an airey,
a very large airey, and has a heap of--of--" Lulu hardly knew what, but
finally in desperation added: "a heap of a'rs," and then fled away ere
another question could be asked her.
"What did she say she was?" Mrs. Richards asked, and the doctor replied: "She said an airey. She meant an heiress."